The MBB TKF90 design was the Eurofighter lookalike. Dornier produced some far more interesting designs- the Rautenflugel which, like the Lightning, had vertically stacked engines, and (in cooperation with Northrop) the ND102.

I’ll dig out some pics.

I’d just like to mention the latest version of my page (on my hard disk) removes the claim that the MLD had an HMS. I haven’t found any confirmation for such- its just a leftover from an earlier time of ignorance 😉

The RD-33 is simply not a very fuel efficient engine

Its actually slightly more fuel efficient than the F-18’s F404. It isn’t as fuel efficient as the F100 because its bypass ratio is less. Funnily enough, John Boyd ran a pile of studies that determined the ideal engine for the F-15’s AA mission to be 20:1 compression ratio, and 0.5 bypass ratio. Thats pretty much exactly what the Russians went for in the RD-33 and AL-31F. The F-15 ended up with the F100 which has a higher bypass ratio than is ideal for an air superiority fighter. The upside is, slightly better fuel economy.

A cleaned version

NATO AS-19 / SS-N-24 / SSC-5
“Meteorit-A” / “Meteorit-M” / “Meteorit”
3M25A / 3M25 / ??
P-750
OKB Chelomei

In 1976, requirements were issued for two cruise missiles. The first, filled by the Raduga Kh-55, was for a subsonic missile in the Tomahawk class able to fit standard torpedo tubes. The second requirement was for a supersonic (Mach 2.5-3.0) turbojet powered cruise missile with a range of 5,000km, which was assigned to Chelomei. The range was desired in order to allow submarine launch well beyond the range of US ASW operations. It was however intended to be developed in 3 versions, ground launched, air launched and submarine launched from a dedicated 949M modified “Oscar” class submarine.

Cruise altitude was 22-24 km with a cruise speed of 3000-3500 km/h.

The large size of the missile meant it had a significant radar cross section. In order to sucessfully penetrate US air defences it was supposed to be equipped with sophisticated ECM and plasma stealth generators.

The first test launch of Meteorit from a ground stand took place on 20 May, 1980. It was unsuccessful, as were the following 3 launches. On 16 December, 1981 a test launch actually flew about 50 km. From 1982-1987 more than 30 test launches of the Meteorit were made.

For air-launched tests a converted Tu-95MS designated Tu-95MA was used. Two Meteorit-A missiles could be carried, one under each wing, with 6 Kh-15 missiles in the internal bomb bay.

The first air launch on 11 January 1984 was unsuccessful. The following test took place on 24 May, 1984, with the same result. At the end of 1984 the Meteorit-A was cancelled.

The submarine launched version was tested on a specially modified 667M “Yankee” class submarine. Though the submarine was quickly made ready, the missile proved more difficult.

The official tests of the Meteorit-M naval version began only in 1988, first from the ground stand (4 tests), and then from the submarine launcher (3 tests). Unfortunately, the number of successful launches in all stages of tests was less than 50%.

The test problems were partly due to to complexity of the system. Guidance, onboard protection systems, and underwater motor starting were all new, and repeatedly caused delays to the program.

In 1989 Meteorit-M was abandoned. There were continuing problems needing solving, and the missile required new carrier submarines that the USSR simply couldn’t afford.

All work on the system was ended by 1992.

Length: 12.8m
Weight: 6300kg (Meteorit-A), 6380kg (Meteorit-M without boosters), 12650kg (Meteorit-M with 2 liquid fuel boosters).
Warhead: 1000kg
Guidance: Inertial + TERCOM.
Range: 5000km
Cruise altitude: 22-24km.
Cruise speed: 3000-3500km/h.

Source: http://www.testpilot.ru/russia/chelomei/p/750/meteorit.htm

A small image of Meteorit is attached. Note the small canards near the nose; ventral inlet; large ventral fin.

BTW the “Su-21” did not exist. The double-delta winged Su-15 is the Su-15TM.

Yes, there are inflight Su-15 pics, but they tend to be black and white, poor quality, and not very interesting.

This one’s classy

In flight pics are rare. Heres one in an interesting colour scheme.